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The northern coast of the DR has long been the most popular spot on the island for tourists, as well as for foreigners looking to buy property. Visitors to this area usually fly into the international airport at Puerto Plata. The town itself, which owes its name (“silver port” in English) to Christopher Columbus (who discovered the island in 1492), is crowded and bustling. Motorbikes are ubiquitous, darting in and out and around. 

A few miles east of Puerto Plata is Playa Dorada, name to both a beautiful stretch of beach and a gated complex containing (at last count) 17 resorts, an 18-hole golf course, several dance clubs and casinos, and a sizable shopping center with a multi-screen cinema. Many visitors here never leave this complex.

A bit farther east (15 miles from Puerto Plata) is Sosúa. After Puerto Plata, it is the commerce center of the north shore, followed by Cabarete, further east. In Sosúa, you can still find a few of the lovely handcrafted houses built by Jewish settlers in the 1940s. Nearby Playa Sosúa is a gorgeous stretch of tranquil beach. Because the north shore of the DR is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, many of the beaches here are a bit rough. But not sheltered Playa Sosúa. Occasionally referred to as the “Acapulco of DR,” this area is known for its nightlife, but in my opinion, seems to attract a more sedate crowd than Cabarete, which is a popular windsurfing spot and attracts a younger, hipper crowd.

Located on a lovely white-sand beach along an enormous bay, the former fishing village of Cabarete now caters to tourists. Surfers, windsurfers, divers, and party-makers crowd the beaches by day and the bars at night. A “perfect moment” can be had at one of the many beachside restaurants here, enjoying a meal on a warm, tropical night. Every year, an international windsurfing competition is held here, and there’s nothing better than to watch the colorful sails surf the waves to shore at sunset. Good food, good wine, twinkling lights, a cooling sea breeze rustling through the palm trees, lapping waves, your shoes kicked off, and toes dug firmly into the sand…it doesn’t get much better.

Between Sosúa and Cabarete you will find many lovely expanses of beaches, including Perla Marina, Seahorse Ranch, Encuentro, Punta Goleta, Kite Beach, Playa Laguna, and others. This area is home to many of the area’s residential districts, both along the beach and high in the hills with an ocean or mountain view. Many foreigners have invested here.

The Samana Peninsula is a destination for nature lovers and adventurers. Lush, green mountains...long beaches with turquoise waters...and lively little towns in between. If you’re a scuba diver...or if whale-watching is high on your agenda...this is your place. The only problem with Samana is how to get here.

You need to first fly into Santo Domingo or Puerto Plata, overnight there, and then take a long, arduous bus ride or catch a commuter flight to Samana. But that’s exactly why Samana is, as yet, not highly ranked on the tourist trail...making it a perfect destination for bargain hunters. (Though Brad Pitt was spotted in Samana hunting for real estate deals...so watch out, this place may not be a secret for long.) And that’s why you need to go to the D.R....and Samana...now.

In Las Terrenas, the largest town on the Samana Peninsula, you can get a new one-bedroom condo with a terrace overlooking the beach for $80,000. A three-bedroom Bahamas-style house near the ocean with a pool and Jacuzzi is on sale right now for $175,000. Always dreamed of running a dive shop? We know of one that sold here recently for $130,000—building, boats, engines, equipment, and all. 

In 1998, a law was written allowing foreigners to buy property in the Dominican Republic with the same rights and obligations as a Dominican citizen. The only requirement is that the Title Registry Offices keep a record, for statistical purposes, of all purchases made by foreigners. Acquiring property here is straightforward, but, still, foreigners purchasing property anywhere in the world outside their native countries need to exercise extra caution. The realtor and the notario (real estate attorney) you work with should be able to help you through the process. It never hurts to hire your own attorney, but it is common for realtors to recommend attorneys they feel comfortable with. The attorneys, in turn, recommended who they believe are the island’s best real estate brokers. I trust the judgment of those I met with, but it never hurts to seek your own resources and advice.

Real estate purchases in the DR work a little differently than in the U.S. Instead of tendering a written offer, you first negotiate and reach a verbal agreement on the price with the seller. Then, a binding “Promise of Sale” or “Option to Purchase” is prepared by an attorney and signed by both parties. At this time, the deposit or advance payment is normally made.  - Article Continued Below -
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I’m told that many attorneys and notarios in the DR do not protect the buyer adequately in the “Promise of Sale.” For instance, sometimes buyers are asked to pay a large percentage of the sale price without any security or direct interest over the property. (Escrow agents are rarely used.) If these funds are misused, the buyer’s only recourse is to sue the seller personally—and he may have become insolvent by then. This can be particularly disconcerting if a bank forecloses on a development property. Even if the developer has not performed his basic obligations, you could still be responsible for making your payments as contracted. 

Your best protection is to get a trustworthy, reliable attorney, and title insurance. In the Dominican Republic, as in many Latin American and European countries, the government provides title insurance. Unfortunately, this governmental arm is not known for its solvency, so seek out a private insurer like First American Title Insurance.
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One of the least expensive ways to experience the Dominican Republic is to check in to one of the amazingly inexpensive all-inclusive resorts on the island. During our trip, we stayed in all-inclusives at Casa de Campo, near La Romana, and at Puerto Plata and Punta Cana. Most will want you to strike a week-long package deal, but without too much haggling, they will sell you a night or two at a time.  Our stays averaged $40 per person per night (a decent room in one instance, and extraordinary accommodation in the other two locations), including all we could eat and drink (in our case, that’s a lot). The food was surprisingly good—buffet-style for breakfast and lunch, and fine evening dining in candle-lit restaurants with attentive staff and great chefs. The local rum rivals any you will find elsewhere in the Caribbean. There is a healthy rivalry between the Dominican Republic and Cuba when it comes to cigars and rum…my money is on the D.R. We toured a cigar-making factory and a rum distillery during our visit. We’re not smokers but we did buy our fill of well-aged, smooth dark rum. But like the rum, our visit to the Dominican Republic didn’t last long enough. I can’t wait to return.